Close
Applications for the 18/19 Summer Internship with Migrants Organise are now open!
About
Migrants Organise is a support organisation for migrants and refugees located in Ladbroke Grove. Last year the charity launched its new Legal Support Project headed by a barrister from No5 chambers. The project is unique in its approach in that it provides an all encompassing legal support - clients can come in with a variety of legal problems ranging from immigration, family, crime and even property and contract. The purpose of the project is to give personal legal support to one of the most vulnerable communities in London.
Migrants Organise has also collaborated with UCL Centre Access to Justice to initiate Migrants Organise x UCL CAJ Talk, an annual lecture in Term 2 on issues affecting migrants and refugees in the UK.
The Role
Migrants Organise is looking for one summer caseworker who is available on Fridays (9.30 – 17.30) to work with their barrister and legal organiser from April to September 2019. Reasonable lunch and travel expenses will be reimbursed.
As a caseworker, students will initially assist one of Migrants Organise’s caseworkers, and depending on competency, will be given more and more responsibilities. The job varies greatly depending on the clients’ need. Migrants Organise prides itself with its commitment to always going the extra mile in helping its clients and students are expected to adopt this ethos. Some of the things that students will be able to do include:
- Helping with general office administration.
- Interviewing clients.
- Collecting relevant evidence for the purpose of various applications or appeals.
- Helping clients to make inquiries or write various responses to various organisations such as the Home Office, local councils, other charitable organisations, etc.
- Finding destitute grants.
- Finding accommodations for homeless clients.
- Help apply for various benefits such as PIP, ESA, Asylum Support, Housing Benefits, etc.
- Apply for a HC1 NHS Certificate.
- Help clients apply for bail for immigration detention.
- Accompany clients to hearings in tribunals.
- Referring clients to solicitors or other organisations such as ASAP, BID, etc.
- Accompany clients to solicitor meetings.
- Applying for Exceptional Case Funding for Legal Aid.
- Making witness statements.
- Other tasks which may be reasonably requested.
Migrants Organise also runs a variety of other projects including a mentoring programme, poetry class, singing class, campaigning and advocacy projects. Students will be able to help in any of these projects should they be interested. For those who are not interested in the internship but wish to contribute in other ways, please contact Heike Langbein at heike@migrantsorganise.org
Benefits
- Migrants Organise is a small charity, thus students who show dedication and competence will be given increasing responsibilities. Migrant Organise relies greatly on the strength of its volunteers to carry out its aims and thus this is a great opportunity for students to actually contribute, help and literally make a difference.
- Students will get the opportunity to work closely with a practising barrister and gain invaluable insights into real legal practice. This is a fantastic opportunity for those considering a career at the bar because even with mini-pupillages students will only get the chance to shadow a barrister.
- Students will gain valuable transferrable skills which will be important in the future.
- Students will have the chance to learn about different areas of the law relating to access to justice and how their legal knowledge and skills can truly help others.
- Organising a lecture will also allow students to reflect on the issues surrounding immigration and access to justice. This is also a fantastic networking opportunity.
What Migrants Organise is looking for
This opportunity is open to LLB and LLM students at UCL.
Commitment:
Whilst interests in areas of laws relating to access to justice especially immigration are desirable, it is not necessary to show high level of previous dedication and commitment to this interest, as one purpose of the internship is to introduce students these areas of laws. Students however are expected to show professional dedication and commitment in carrying out their tasks. Students are expected to be proactive and helpful.
Language fluency and precision:
Letter writing is a big part of the job and students are expected to be able to write clearly, precisely and using the appropriate tone. Students are expected to know the standard letter writing format.
Foreign language skills such as French, Spanish, Arabic, and Farsi are desirable but not compulsory. Please indicate in the application any language skills and level of proficiency.
Sensitivity and patience:
Students will deal with vulnerable people – many are destitute, do not have a good command of English, suffer from numerous mental and physical health problems and face a number of other issues, legal or otherwise. Some of them will be difficult to deal with. Students need to be sensitive to the circumstances of the clients and display professionalism in their dealings.
Problem solving:
Clients can have a number of different issues and students will need to be able to provide creative and efficient solutions.
How to Apply
Students should send in their CV and a covering letter to Brian Dikoff at brian@migrantsorganise.org
The deadline for applications is Friday, 15 March 2019 11.59. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, date and time TBC.
Should you have any queries about the position please contact their legal organiser, Brian Dikoff at brian@migrantsorganise.org